Electric power apparatus



June 28, 1938. w. TOWARD El AL ELECTRIC POWER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'NVENTQQS June 28, 1938.

W. TOWARD Er'AL.

ELECTRIC POWER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III/I III/III P/QLZZo INVENTORS W W M7 '55 non-magnetic material.

Patented June 28, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC POWER APPARATUS Application October 16, 1935, Serial No. 45,366

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an electric power apparatus providing reciprocating movement adapted for use in connection with the operation of power rams and hammers, mine shaft gates and mine car movements, or for any other purposes wherein it is found to be applicable.

Important objects of the invention are to provide a power apparatus of the character described, which may be employed as a power device for operating various mechanisms, which may be controlled from points remote therefrom, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, which embodies few moving parts, which is quick and positive in its action, and economical in its manufacture, operation and maintenance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the latter is merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, and that the actual needs of practice and manufacture may require certain mechanical variations from the embodiment shown. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention to the disclosure thereof herein illustrated, but rather to define such limitations to the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

'30 In the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of an electric power apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of thewiring and switch element involved in the operation of the device.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the adjustable connecting elements embodied in the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a modified embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the core or armature and stabilizer mounted in the associated cylinder, the latter being in cross section.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross 50 sectional view of the stabilizer.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a horizontally disposed, electrically operated, power apparatus, comprising an elongated tubular cylinder I constructed from any suitable,

A plurality of solenoids 2 are mounted on and surround the cylinder I. An important feature of the present invention is that the solenoids 2 are positioned flatly against each other on the cylinder I, and each is distinct and separable from the others, whereby any of the solenoids may be readily removed from or replaced on the cylinder I, when required for repairs or any other purposes.

A cylindrical core or piston armature 3, of any suitable construction, is shiftably mounted for longitudinal movement in the horizontally disposed cylinder I. A forwardly projecting piston rod 4 and arearwardly projecting stabilizing rod 5' have their inner ends fixed, in any suitable manner, in the diametric centers of respective ends of the piston armature 3, and are longitudinally aligned relatively to each other, and with respect to the piston armature 3.

The cylinder I, with its associated elements, is carried by a pair of suitable bearing supports 6, which engage respective ends thereof, and are fixed on a suitable base 1. Each of the bearing supports 6 is provided with a pair of vertically aligned, revolubly mounted, grooved guide wheels 8, which engage the piston rod 4 and the sta bilizing rod 5, respectively, for the purpose of maintaining the accurate alignment of the armature 3 and rods 4 and 5 in the cylinder I, and to permit the reciprocal movements of these elements in the latter with a minimum of friction,

moval and thereby allow the ready removal of 3 the cylinder I and associated parts from the bearing supports 6 when required for any purpose.

The piston armature 3 and the rods 4 and 5 are held against rotation in the cylinder I, by means of an arm II], which is on the inner end portion of the piston rod 4 and has its free end engaged in a longitudinally extending groove II formed in the'inner wall of the cylinder I.

The outer end of the piston rod 4 is formed with a socket head I2 carrying a set screw I3, whereby suitable work engaging elements may be attached to or engaged by the outer end of the piston rod 4. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, a grooved adjusting bar I4 is provided, including a shank I5, which extends into the socket head I2 and is secured in the latter by means of the set screw" I 3. The work engaging elements further include a clevis I6, suitably apertured for the reception of a connecting pin- IT. The clevis I6 is provided with a fixed connecting bar I8 adjustably engaged in the grooved adjusting bar I4. The latter carries a set screw I9 for securing the connecting bar I8 in the adjusted position. By this arrangement, the adjusting bar I4 may be adjusted to any angle on the socket head I2, and the clevis I6 may be adjusted to any required position on the adjusting bar I4.

Our improved power apparatus is particularly adapted for shifting mine cars, and Figure 1 illustrates the attachment of the connecting elements with a mine car 20. If the shifting of the cars can be effected by a pushing operation and no holding or other control is required, the use of the connecting pin I1 is not necessary, but the use of the latter is essential for pulling operations, and when the holding or other control operations are required.

It will here be noted that while the rod is primarily intended for stabilizing the reciprocal movements of the armature 3 and piston rod 4 during the operation of the device, the said stabilizing bar 5 may also be provided with connecting elements or employed as a power imparting member for effecting any operations wherein it is found to be applicable.

The wiring arrangement, illustrated in Figure 2, provides for the manual control of the power apparatus. The negative terminals 2I of the solenoids 2 all join with one main conductor 22 of the electrical source of supply, while the other main conductor 23 is connected with a switch contact bar 24, which is pivoted, centrally of its length, on a switch plate 25. The positive terminals 26 of the solenoids 3 are connected with respective contacts 21 mounted in the switch plate 25. The contacts 21 are arranged for alternate contacting engagement by respective ends of the switch bar 24, so that the solenoids 3 will be energized consecutively in the sequence of their positions on the cylinder I, and so that an energized solenoid will not be deenergized until the following solenoid is energized to thereby exert the greatest attraction to effect the shifting of the armature 3 in the cylinder I.

By shifting the contact bar 24 alternately in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to engage respective contacts 27, the solenoids 2 will be energized in their proper sequence to effect the horizontal reciprocal movement of the piston armature 3 and of the rods 4 and 5 fixed to the latter. The length of the stroke is, of course, determined by the length of the cylinder I and the associated solenoids 2. The'movement of the armature 3 is arrested or stopped and held in the cylinder I by stopping the movement of the contact bar 24 while the latter is engaged with any of the contacts 21 to thereby energize respective solenoids, whereby the armature 3 may be held against movement at any required point in the cylinder I. When. the contact bar 24 is in the neutral position, as shown, all solenoids are deenergized and the armature is free and idle in the cylinder I.

In the modified form of the device, shown in Figure 4, the power apparatus is disposed vertically, and comprises a vertically extending cylinder 2| fixed on a suitable base 22. Solenoids 23 surround the cylinder 2I and are positioned in super-imposed relation to each other.

A cylindrical piston armature 24 is shiftably mounted for vertical movement in the cylinder 2I. A piston rod 25 is fixed in the armature 24 and extends vertically upward through a suitable bearing 26 mounted on the top of the cylinder 2I. The bearing 26 includes a pair of grooved guide wheels 21, which engage the piston rod 25.

The modified form of the apparatus is illustrated as applied for operating a vertically shiftable mine shaft gate 28. The latter is arranged for being opened and closed, and is shiftably engaged on a pair of spaced, vertically extending guide bars 29. Stop members 38 are carried by the guide bars 29 to limit the elevating movement of the gate 23. A pair of coil springs 3i is shiftably mounted on the guide bars 29 above the gate 28 for cushioning the impact of the latter when reaching its elevated or open position. A pair of coil springs 32 are mounted on the guide bars 29 below the gate 28 for cushioning the im pact of the latter when reaching its lowered or closed position.

The outer end of the piston rod 25 is provided with an eye member 33, and a cable 34 has one end thereof secured in the latter. The cable 34 passes over suitably positioned sheaves 35 and has its other end secured to the gate 28.

The gate 28 is intended to shift to the lowered or closed position by gravity, and counter-weights 36 are mounted on the upper end portion of the piston rod 25 to permit the positive closing or lowering of the gate 28 by gravity, but requiring a relatively small amount of power to shift said gate 28 to the open or elevated position.

A stabilizing member 3'! is fixed, by means of a bolt 38, in the diametric center of the lower end of the armature 24 for stabilizing the latter and maintaining same in proper alignment in the cylinder 2|. The stabilizing member 31 comprises a hub 39 provided with a plurality of radially disposed, hollow arms 46. A wall engaging element 4| is carried by each of the arms 46 and radially shiftable in the latter.

Each of the elements 4| comprises a revoluble member 42, preferably in the form of a ball, which is mounted in a suitable casing 43. The latter is provided with a fixed stem 44 extending into outer open end of respective arms 40. A coil spring 45 is mounted in each of the arms 40 and engages the inner end of the stem 44 for tensionally forcing the revoluble member 42 against the inner wall of the cylinder 2I, to efiect the stabilization of the armature 24 in the latter. One or more vertically extending grooves 46 may be formed on the inner wall of the cylinder 2I to provide definite paths of travel for the revoluble members 42 for preventing the turning of the armature 24 and associated piston rod 25 in the cylinder 2|.

A vertically disposed contact bar 4'! is fixed to the base 22 and bearing 26. A contact 48, for each of the solenoids 23, is fixed in the bar 4'! and joins with the positive terminal 49 of respective solenoids 23. The contacts 48 are vertically aligned and equally spaced from each other.

A substantially L-shaped, resilient contact support 50 is fixed to the upper end portion of the piston rod 25, and its connection with the latter provides a seat for the counter-weights 36. An elongated contact member 5| is fixed against the inner side of the lower end portion of the support 56, and is of a length to simultaneously contact with one or two adjacent contacts 48 on the latter, as illustrated in Figure 4.

One of the main conductors 52 of the electrical source of supply is connected with the contact member 5|, and the other connects with the terminals 53 of the solenoids 23.

When the solenoids 23 are deenergized, the gate 28 will shift by gravity to the lowered or closed position, and the piston armature 24 will be in the elevated position in the cylinder 2|, as shown in Figure 4. To elevate the gate 28, the control switch is closed to energize the uppermost of the solenoids 23, whereby the armature 24 will be attracted to shift downwardly in the cylinder 2|. As the piston rod 25 carries the fixed contact support 50, the downward travel of the latter will cause the contact member 5| to engage the contacts 48 on the contact bar 41 and thereby energize the solenoids 23 in the sequence of their positions on the cylinder 2|, whereby the gate elevating operation is efiected automatically, except for closing the control switch at the start of the elevating operation. The gate 28 will be held in its elevated position as long as the lowermost solenoids 23 remain energized, and when the latter are deenergized, by opening the control switch, the gate 28 will shift to the lowered or closed position, and draw the armature 24 to the top of the cylinder 2| for subsequent elevating operations.

The present invention provides a most eflicient power apparatus of the character set forth, which may be operated and regulated by remote control, which may embody control elements capable of providing automatic and continuous reciprocal motion, and which may be successfully employed in many various types of mechanisms operable by connection therewith.

What we claim is:

In an electro-magnetic power mechanism of the character described, the combination of a tubular cylinder, a plurality of solenoids mounted on and surrounding said cylinder, a reciprocating core mounted in said cylinder, means for supporting said core in said cylinder, the inner face of said cylinder being provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, a hub fixed to said core, a plurality of radially disposed hollow arms secured to said hub, a stem mounted in and radially shiftable in each of said arms, a casing fixed to the outer end of each of said stems, a revoluble ball carried in each of said casings, and a. spring mounted in each of said hollow arms and engaging respective stems for tensionally forcing said revoluble balls into said grooves for stabilizing said core in said cylinder.

WILLIAM TOWARD. ALEXANDER TOWARD. 

